Environmental advocates and legal experts are calling on the Ministry of Energy and Mines to immediately revoke a mining exploration permit in the Cordillera Septentrional, on the north and northcentral side of the country, alleging the concession violates national laws governing protected areas.
The demand comes as social organizations prepare for a major protest march Wednesday, 28 January 2026 across the northern region to reject potential gold, silver, and copper extraction in the mountain range shared by the Santiago and Puerto Plata provinces.
While the Ministry of Energy and Mines maintains that current activities are strictly exploratory, critics argue the distinction is a formality. “Nobody invests money searching for gold, silver, and copper without the intention to exploit it if sufficient quantities are found,” said environmental lawyer Euren Cuevas.
Environmentalist Luis Carvajal echoed these concerns, noting that the permit threatens a vital ecosystem responsible for the region’s water supply. Carvajal also warned that the mountain range faces a dual threat: mining interests and the “grave problem” of private appropriation of protected lands for luxury tourism villas.
“We must preserve the Cordillera Septentrional from mining, but also from the looting and destruction of ecosystems that are vital for water production,” Carvajal stated.
The conflict highlights a growing tension between state-sanctioned industrial interests and local conservation efforts. Advocates argue that allowing exploration in protected “core” and “buffer” zones sets a dangerous legal precedent, regardless of the government’s assurances that full-scale exploitation has not yet been authorized.
The scheduled march is expected to draw significant participation from local communities and religious leaders, who have recently ratified their support for the movement to protect the northern mountain range.
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CDN
28 January 2026